Tough Bruno holds off Molly to land second 600 title for O'Neill

BALLYHOOLY BRUNO toughed it out from the front to land the €15,000 Shelbourne Open 600 final for trainer Tom O'Neill and owners The Ashgrove Trio Syndicate.

Hot favourite Callaway Knegare had shown in front from traps but was immediately swamped on both sides and ultimately had to ride crowding to turn in fourth.

By that stage, Ballyhooly Bruno had paced up to hit the front pursued by Singalong Molly and Ballinabola Jim with the first-named looming up menacingly at the third bend.

For a few strides, it looked as though the English Derby entry would go past but  Ballyhooly Bruno had other ideas and knuckled down admirably on the long run-in to prevail by three-parts of a length in 32.28sec with Callaway Knegare, who was short of his brilliant best, staying on late to claim third.

It was a second success in the famous competition for trainer O'Neill, brother of horse racing's Jonjo, as he had previously landed it in 2016 with Ballyhooly Henry.